3 May 2012

Labour party says leaked documents show NZ govt will revise MFAT changes

6:39 am on 3 May 2012

The opposition Labour Party's Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Phil Goff, says a leaked Cabinet document has confirmed the New Zealand Government will do a u-turn on its original planned cuts for the Ministry.

In February the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it planned to cut more than 300 jobs and close two embassies.

But Mr Goff says the leaked document, which was due to go before Cabinet next week, confirms the Government will revise its original plan and intends to axe 146 jobs and close just one embassy in Stockholm next month.

He says the document also shows embasies in Madrid and The Hague may also be closed.

Mr Goff says he has also received a letter from staff in the Trade Negotiation Division which says staff retention is a problem and and confidence has been undermined.